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How will the next UK prime minister be chosen? Tory leadership: How the next UK prime minister will be chosen
(about 7 hours later)
The search for a new Conservative Party leader is under way, following the resignation of Liz Truss as prime minister.The search for a new Conservative Party leader is under way, following the resignation of Liz Truss as prime minister.
Her replacement will become the fifth Tory prime minister in six years.Her replacement will become the fifth Tory prime minister in six years.
How will the Conservatives elect a new leader?How will the Conservatives elect a new leader?
Nominations to succeed Ms Truss as the next Conservative Party leader and PM are now open and will close at 1400 BST on Monday 24 October. Nominations
To enter the contest, candidates will require at least 100 nominations from Conservative MPs. Nominations for next Conservative Party leader and PM are now open.
This is considerably higher than the last contest, where only 20 nominations were needed. They will close at 1400 BST on Monday 24 October.
As there are currently 357 Tory MPs, a maximum of three candidates will be able to progress. Candidates will require the support of at least 100 Tory MPs.
If only one person reaches the 100 threshold on Monday they will become the next leader, and thus the new prime minister, without the contest going to the next stage. As there are currently 357 Tory MPs, a maximum of three candidates can be put forward.
If there is more than one candidate with enough nominations, there will be a ballot of Conservative MPs between 1530 BST and 1730 BST on Monday. If only one candidate gets the support of 100 MPs they will become the next leader.
In the event that there are two candidates in that ballot, it will be indicative (ie showing levels of support among MPs). They will also become the new prime minister.
If there are three candidates, the one with the fewest number of votes will be eliminated with the result announced at 1800 BST. There would then be an indicative vote between 1830 and 2030 BST the same day with the result announced at 2100 BST. Vote among Tory MPs
If there are two candidates at the end of the ballots, ie no-one withdraws after the indicative vote, party members will take part in an online vote to decide the winner. If more than one candidate has 100 nominations, there will be a vote among Conservative MPs. This will take place between 1530 BST and 1730 BST on Monday.
Before the vote among party members closes, it is hoped the two candidates will take part in a television debate. If there are two candidates in that ballot, it will be indicative. This means it will show who has the most support among MPs.
The winner will be declared by Friday 28 October. If there are three candidates, the one with the fewest votes will be eliminated, with the result announced at 1800 BST.
There would then be an indicative vote between 1830 and 2030 BST, with the result at 2100 BST.
Vote among party members
If two candidates remain at the end of the ballots - because no-one withdraws after the indicative vote - members of the Conservative Party will decide on the next leader and prime minister.
They will take part in an online vote to decide the winner.
Before the vote among party members closes, it is hoped the two candidates would take part in a television debate.
The winner
The new party leader and prime minister will be declared by Friday 28 October.
Will party members definitely be involved?Will party members definitely be involved?
Removing party members from the voting process would probably have required a change to the Conservative Party's constitution.Removing party members from the voting process would probably have required a change to the Conservative Party's constitution.
But the rule requiring a vote of members only applies if there are two remaining candidates. When Theresa May became leader in 2016 her opponent Andrea Leadsom dropped out. This meant Mrs May became party leader without a vote being put to members. But the rule requiring a vote of members only applies if there are two remaining candidates.
So even if two candidates emerge in this contest, it's possible the members won't get the final say. When Theresa May became leader in 2016 her opponent Andrea Leadsom dropped out. This meant Mrs May became party leader without a vote being put to members.
So, even if two candidates emerge in this contest, it's possible the members won't get the final say.
How is the next prime minister appointed?How is the next prime minister appointed?
Whoever wins the contest to lead the Conservatives will become the leader of the party with the largest number of MPs in Parliament.Whoever wins the contest to lead the Conservatives will become the leader of the party with the largest number of MPs in Parliament.
The King will therefore ask them to form a government, becoming the UK's next prime minister in the process.The King will therefore ask them to form a government, becoming the UK's next prime minister in the process.
Who could replace Liz Truss as prime minister?Who could replace Liz Truss as prime minister?
Could there be an early election?Could there be an early election?
How was Ms Truss chosen?How was Ms Truss chosen?
The summer leadership contest, which Ms Truss won, was held over a much longer period of three months. The summer leadership contest, which Ms Truss won, was held over three months.
Candidates were only able to enter the race if they had the backing of at least 20 Tory MPs.Candidates were only able to enter the race if they had the backing of at least 20 Tory MPs.
Eight contenders emerged - including Ms Truss.Eight contenders emerged - including Ms Truss.
In the contest's first stage, Tory MPs chose two candidates to go forward to a vote of the wider membership of the party.In the contest's first stage, Tory MPs chose two candidates to go forward to a vote of the wider membership of the party.
To do this, the Tory party's 358 MPs whittled down the field with a series of votes. To do this, the Tory party's MPs whittled down the field with a series of votes.
Anyone who received less than 30 votes or came last in each round was eliminated. The process continued until the two final candidates - Ms Truss and former chancellor Rishi Sunak - remained. Anyone who received fewer than 30 votes or came last in each round was eliminated. The process continued until the two final candidates - Ms Truss and former chancellor Rishi Sunak - remained.
In stage two, Conservative Party members chose the winner in a postal and online vote lasting several weeks.In stage two, Conservative Party members chose the winner in a postal and online vote lasting several weeks.
When the result was announced on 5 September, Ms Truss won 81,326 votes among party members, compared with 60,399 for Mr Sunak.When the result was announced on 5 September, Ms Truss won 81,326 votes among party members, compared with 60,399 for Mr Sunak.
Will there be a general election?Will there be a general election?
There isn't automatically a general election when a new PM is appointed. There isn't automatically a general election when a new prime minister is appointed.
If the new PM decides not to call an early election, the next one does not have to be held until January 2025 at the latest. If the new prime minister decides not to call an early election, the next one does not have to be held until January 2025 at the latest.
Could there be an early election?Could there be an early election?